RIM's BlackBerry 10 operating system will make its global debut on Jan. 30 as the mobile industry turns its focus to the Canadian smartphone maker. Will RIM's new OS help it succeed? We hope so, we love competition, but RIM also thinks there's room for licensing the software if it does prove successful.

In the past, rumors suggested RIM might sell its entire hardware business, license its software business and essentially leave the smartphone market as a major player. Speaking with Germannews outlet Die Welt recently, RIM's CEO Thorsten Heins said that he's waiting to see how the market reacts to BlackBerry 10 before he decides whether or not to license it.

"Before you [license] the software, you must show that the platform has a large potential," he said. "First we have to fulfill our promises. If such proof (sic)… licensing is conceivable." Heins also suggested a sale of its hardware production business is possible, according to Bloomberg, although we imagine that will depend on how well its new handsets sell.